BEER GARDEN OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT

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2012

5th ANNUAL MONTEBELLO ARMENIAN FOOD FAIR & FEST

Montebello, CA March 28, 2012- The Holy Cross Cathedral Festival Committee is pleased to announce their 5th Annual Armenian Food Fair and Festival celebrating authentic Armenian food, music, culture and talent, to be held on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from noon to 10 pm at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello, CA.

This year's festival will be the perfect venue to celebrate Mother's Day weekend. Fest 2012 will offer an arts and crafts zone where children can prepare Mother’s Day gifts with their very own hands. Specialty items for Mother’s Day will also be available on vendor row just made for that special loved one.

Fest 2012 promises even more variety, fun and games for all ages. Guests will continue to enjoy our famous and delicious authentic Armenian foods, professional dance performances, raffle, KidZone, backgammon tournament, drum circle, Beer & Wine Garden and a variety of live music. New additions to Fest 2012 include a SportZone for both children and adults and a ping pong tournament. Also featured, the first ever Hye Chef Competition to judge the best Sarma in town.

The Official Grand Sponsor of AFF Fest 2012, Mr. & Mrs. Joe & Nevair Samuelian & Family, of Nationwide Environmental Services are pleased to return for the third year in a row to provide generous support for the festival. “My family and I are very proud and honored to be the Official Grand Sponsor of AFF Fest 2011. As Armenians living in the United States, there is nothing more important than our faith and our families to maintain our culture, our identity and our devotion to Armenian causes,” says Joe Samuelian, President of NES. The Montebello community is going strong with over 60 years of support from their devoted church members of Montebello and surrounding communities. “Even though I have lived here for over 45 years,” says Samuelian, “I have never wavered in my support and commitment to the church and to Armenians.” Whether monetarily, or through the warm-hearted devotion of immeasurable hours invested by the Holy Cross Ladies Aid, Board of Trustees and countless other volunteers, the Holy Cross Cathedral extends their sincere gratitude for such outstanding community support. This year's list of sponsors also include Zabel Iknadossian & Family of European Lion-International Machinery: Food Court Grand Sponsor, The Poochigian Family: Beer & Wine Garden Grand Sponsor, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Bagramian, KidZone Grand Sponsor, along with countless additional charitable contributors and sponsors.

Admission to the Armenian Food Fair & Fest is $2 for Adults and Free for Kids 12 and under. Ample free parking will be available. The Holy Cross Cathedral is located at 900 West Lincoln Avenue, Montebello, CA. For more information, schedule of performances, activities, and sponsorship information, please visit the Festival web site at www.ArmenianFoodFair.com or call (323) 314-1375.

###﻿2010

Montebello, CA—The Holy Cross Cathedral Festival Committee is pleased to announce their annual fun-filled festival celebrating authentic Armenian Food, Music and Culture to be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from Noon-10 pm at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello, California.

The Festival’s highlights include a rich variety of Armenian Food and live Armenian musical and folk dance performances. Festival attendees will enjoy mouth watering Armenian cuisine and dessert prepared fresh by local Armenian community chefs. This year's menu will include Beef, Lamb and Chicken Kabobs, vegetarian dishes, and much more. Delicious traditional pastries and desserts will also be available. Armenian coffee and Tahn, a refreshing cold yogurt drink topped with mint leaves will be offered at the refreshment bar. The Festival will also feature a Backgammon Tournament, Bingo, and Kids Fun Zone. There's something for everyone at the 2010 Armenian Food Fair & Fest.

The Culture and Tourism Tentwill feature a variety of fascinating aspects of Armenia. The array of events will include exhibitions as well as cooking demonstrations. Many vendors will be on hand to offer festival goers a unique shopping experience at our own Vernissage Bazaar.

Admission to the Armenian Food Fair & Fest is $2 for Adults and Free for Kids 12 and under. Ample Free Parking will be available. The Holy Cross Cathedral is located at 900 West Lincoln Avenue, Montebello, California.

For more information, schedule of performances, activities, and sponsor information, visit the Festival Web site at www.ArmenianFoodFair.com or call (323) 893-9053.

John Bilezikjian to perform at the Armenian Food Fair & Fest 2010

Montebello, CA – John Bilezikjian will perform on the Oud, an ancient Persian stringed instrument at the Armenian Food Fair and Fest on Saturday May 22, 2010. John will perform popular Traditional Armenian Folk music suitable for dancing accompanied by the Hosharian Brothers Band.

John has performed on the Oud for some 55 years and has given concerts and played for heads of state all over the world. He is one of the most popular and important Armenian Folk musicians living in California.

He has 30 CD's available on his web site and through his recording company called Dantz Records www.dantzrecords.com . He will bring some of his CD's for purchase that afternoon. John has recorded or written featured music for some 80 Films and TV shows throughout his career.

Come and dance the afternoon away with this world class musician and entertainer.

2008

Sound of drums beating, the rhythm of live Armenian music and aroma of shish kebab filled the air at Saturday’s First Annual Armenian Food Fair and Festival. Over 3,000 people came through the gates of the Holy Cross Cathedral for an unforgettable day of food and fun.

The festival menu ranged from old time favorites which included a choice of shish kebab or lule kebab dinner with smoked eggplant, salad and rice to specialties like Herrisa and Soujoukh Sandwiches and 1000 home-made piroshki prepared by Manik Ajemian, a local community member. The smell of fire burning enticed many to take a bite of the handmade lavash and cheese specialty prepared by Azniv Markarian.

After indulging in delicious foods, guests were eager to stroll around and join in all the festivities. Montebello's Alex Dance Academy and ARS Nairy Chapter Saturday School students performed on stage as well the Krounk Dance Ensemble featuring Arman Martyrian, which performed in the evening. The crowd watched with pride, while non-Armenians were intrigued by the rich heritage, culture and traditions of the Armenian people. The Hosharian Bros Band provided spectacular Armenian music through the evening. As the sun went down a dumbeg circle of talented dumbeg players from the community formed.

It was a competitive day for Backgammon enthusiasts, who appeared to be enjoying an intense game at the Backgammon Tournament. The ending champions of the tournament were Margaret Bogan, First Place winner and Toros Kibricjian, Second Place winner.

With nearly sixty entries, children of all ages participated in the Guitar Hero Contest led by Church Board Member, Arman Semerjian. The final winners were Matthew Trevino, First Place winner and Matthew Nazarian, Second Place winner playing the final song on “Hard” level” to “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” by Guns N’ Roses.

Children had fun jumping in the bouncy house, riding ponies, watching “Maggie” and merely running around the stage excited by all the wonderful music and festivities.

Those that joined the food demonstrations led by Festival Committee member, Denise Hagopian, had the opportunity to learn how to make lahmajoun from Nellie of Hye Bakery in Montebello, rice pilaf, and delicious home made string cheese by Sylva Kaloyan.

Vendors lined the lot offering a unique shopping experience for attendees from the Pampered Chef Booth, the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry to the Fiscal Credit Union. There was something for everyone at the Festival.

The day was filled with cultural pride, warmth and hospitality. The First Annual Armenian Food Fair and Festival was a significant and proud day for the Montebello community. From the vital support of sponsors, monetary and in-kind donations to the endless contributions of the Festival Committee, “We had a great team working hard to make sure everything ran smoothly prior to and during the event. Each and every individual in the Festival committee played an integral role in preparing for this event and brought different strengths to the team.” said Anita Altounian, Event Chairperson. We are proudly looking forward to next year’s festival and are eager to start planning for 2009.

If you’d like to participate in next year’s festival, please contact info@armenianfoodfair.com or call the church office @ 323-727-1113.